on Dec 23, 2019, Updated Jul 15, 2024 Every year I’ve wanted to make a plum cake and thought about soaking the fruits earlier, months in advance and forgotten. Thats me. So this year I decided I’m not even trying. I found another way. And thats what makes this last minute plum cake so awesome. You don’t need to soak dry fruits and nuts months in advance and plan ahead. A few days before Christmas, you can still have the same flavor, the same intensity and no one will be able to tell. The trick here is fasten the process by simmering the dry fruits, nuts and peels in dark rum for 15-20 minutes, and then to let this mixture sit for two hours. This softens the nuts and fruits and infuses them with flavor. The dark rum adds a nice caramel flavor thats hard to beat. Traditionally, Christmas fruit cakes were made by soaking them in homemade wine and you can do that also. This recipe is a family favorite, and we take our plum cakes seriously. Trust me, I know because Denver’s a mangalorean. We prefer ours with more nuts than fruits and peels, but you can use a combination that your family likes.
Dried Nuts and Fruits in Last Minute Plum Cake
Using quality dried fruits and nuts in this last minute plum cake is key. Always taste them before using them in the recipe to make sure nothing has gone rancid or tastes old. I used cashews, almonds, sultanas, raisins, chrisonji, prunes and chopped orange peel. You can use whatever you have on hand.
Alcohol in Plum Cakes
Traditionally plum cakes were made by soaking dried fruits and nuts in homemade wine. But I prefer using good quality dark rum. The soaking process adds flavor, softens the nuts and plumps up the fruit. It also gives this Christmas fruit cake a slightly boozy taste, nothing overpowering, just a slight undertone.
A non-alcoholic version of plum cakes
If you prefer your plum cake without alcohol, just substitute the rum for apple juice. And follow the rest of the recipe as is.
Soaking fruits for Plum Cake
Originally, plum cake or Christmas fruit cake recipes require that you soak your dried fruits and nuts for weeks or months in advance. But my recipe is for the last-minute-rs. This recipe will give you the same taste, but with only 2 hours or soaking. This recipe makes a dark, moist plum cake that will last you a few weeks in the fridge so you can keep enjoying it well past Christmas.
More Christmas Recipes
Orange Rosemary Spatchcock Chicken RoastMasala Chicken RoastGarlic Mashed PotatoesVegetarian GravyEggless Chocolate Cake with GanacheMind-Blowing Mushroom SauceVegetarian Lasagna
Watch Last Minute Plum Cake (Christmas Fruit Cake) Recipe Video
